The call was made in the wake of forecasts on unusual impacts of climate change in 2012.

Deputy PM Hoàng Trung Hải has asked the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control and the National Committee for Search and Rescue, relevant ministries, agencies to define key tasks and perfect prevention measures for 2012.

The National Strategy for disaster prevention, response and mitigation; the Master Planning for Search and Rescue by 2015 with a vision to 2020 will be further put into implementation.

Natural disaster work, response to climate change and sea level rise are required to be included in ministerial and provincial plans and projects.

People’s awareness of natural disaster prevention work should be promoted.

The Deputy PM also asked localities to review flood-prone areas and water reservoirs, relocate residents and upgrade dykes in Hà Nội and Hồ Chí Minh.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is in charge of re-examining dykes and setting up an overall irrigation scheme for the Mekong River./.